As promised, some better pics of my ST4. Seems the sun today on white paint = ‘halo’ effect though….
Impressions after a few short rides and one longer one = WHOOOOOOOSH!
This bike climbs very well, and (i know its a cliche) but a gear or two faster than others. On wide landrover tracks its just sit n pedal – on rougher bits (like Houndkirk tonight) it just flies up stuff.
Downhill is great as well – speed, speed, speed – again on easy but rough tracks like Houndkirk it just seems to have more than 110mm of travel – it feels like a short travel bike, until you jump or hit something really hard and it seems to have a reserve of travel somewhere. On the Plantation it was great – certainly didn’t feel short of travel on the bigger bumps and steps. It sits up high in its travel – not much sag – reacts to small bumps well but you can tell its not dropping into bumps like a longer travel bike.
On steeper stuff DH you can feel the low BB – it turns brilliantly, and feels low. Not clipped a pedal yet. I preferred my 29er on really steep rocky / stepped bits – I think the big wheels are ace on steep steps/rocks!
The rear is a bit flexy when really pushed I think – especially shown up by the brilliantly directional F-120 QR15’s – steering compared to my Reba 29’s is staggeringly good – a couple of time I waited for the bike to twist onto a line, and it just carried on where the bars were pointing…
The mountain kins I am not sure of – they seem to slide/wash out a bit and seem bouncy on rocks. 😐
The juicy 3’s have a really bad ‘grabby’ spot on the front disc – I tried some cleaner today and it didn’t do anything. Its so bad at slow speed you can feel the bike pitch back and forth as it grabs – and slides you around off-road…the rear is low on power as well 😐
I reckon with some new tyres, and the brakes sorted it will be fabulous. To be ‘perfect’ a maxle rear would be great 8)
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Summary – did I say WHOOOOSH? Great on wide open, rocky stuff – I think it will be fabulous on somewhere like Corrieyairack / big hill stuff / big days out – without being wallowy.
Compared to both it climbs better, feels faster and lighter – and I don’t notice the 20mm less travel. Also a bit nippier. I bet on really big rocky stuff I may notice the 20mm – but thats only a few percent of most of my rides…Climbing is way different in granny – that ‘pull the wheel under’ feel that I liked on the Sub5, but stalled you at times on step ups etc is gone – its much more active on techy climbs.
mmmmmmmm…i was under the impression that the LV can would suit people in excess of 80kg.
however, i’m also aware that there seems to be limited choice in selecting the LV can in certain sizes…….
They are surprisingly useful in our busy Peak area…loads of walkers – and I got fed up of the ‘why don’t you have a bell?’ comments – so the bell stays.
When I finally (if ever) get round to replacing my bike, my list of possibles is getting even longer….
Stumjumper FSR (because mine has been so good, I have to consider a new one)
Zesty
Orange ST4
Trek (can’t remember the name – white, gold and black, now brown & white, I think)
I think a road bike of some description will have to come first – possible a Spesh CX – Tricross or whatever they are called.